LETTER: Waltham recreational space important for children

Tuesday

Apr 1, 2014 at 3:00 PM

As a child growing up on the south side of Waltham, I remember two places that we kids could go for fun and recreation. One was the swimming pool on River Street and the other was the tennis courts on High Street. These and, of course, hanging out "down street" on Moody.We spent many happy hours at both places because it was affordable (free) and fun to hang out with our friends. In the winter, the city would flood the tennis courts and we went ice skating on them. They were lighted in the evening until 9 p.m., when the curfew siren rang out of the firehouse on Moody Street.Regarding the Gilmore Playground, Iím sure there are legitimate concerns by some neighbors about children hanging out in places and the possibility of drugs (not an issue in my days as a youth, fortunately). But I would hope that some balance can be achieved, allowing for more police surveillance but still having an area used by the kids for basketball and for futsal or whatever new activity comes in the future.Maintaining open recreational spaces is critical to a healthy population and essential to the growth and positive development of the young people.ĖJohn T. Gardiner, Waltham